Nigel Farage resignation: Ukip leadership runners and riders

Paul Nuttall

Ukip’s deputy leader under Nigel Farage is likely to be an early front-runner for the leadership after serving in the post since 2010.

Born in Bootle, Mr Nuttall has been MEP for the North West since 2009 and made regular media appearances during the party’s rise.

Politically he is seen as to the Left of Mr Farage – at times differing on how to improve the NHS – and is well placed to lead the party’s hopes of taking former Labour working class strongholds in the North.

Douglas Carswell

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Ukip’s only MP has been in the party for less than two years after defecting from the Tories in 2014, but has grown increasingly disillusioned with Mr Farage.

Mr Carswell won a by-election in Clacton under the Ukip banner and then retained his seat last year, proving he knows what it takes to get into Parliament.